Why do so many people join the Reserves? Is it love for country, commitment to defend freedom, chivalry and public service, a sense of duty and sacrifice? Certainly many do join for such noble reasons; however, numerous other young men and women simply join for the benefits, such as college tuition and other signing bonuses. It may not sound very nice to say it, but let’s be honest, if they would serve without the benefits, would the government even offer them? Absolutely not. However, they know to entice a sufficient reserve force, the benefits must be offered.

When those who have signed up for selfish motivation are deployed to the front lines of battle, do you suppose they really want to be there? When they signed the dotted line, we can only ponder if they really counted the cost. I wonder if college tuition is enough to make the ultimate sacrifice. Without a commitment to the vision freedom) and the mission (defend and protect), no amount of compensation is worth dying for; but with a sense of duty, honor, and sacrifice—no price is too high. In fact, they yearn for the front lines.

We can see a fitting analogy. Numerous believers have joined the kingdom “reserves” based on the benefits. They wanted freedom from the penalty of sin and a free ticket to heaven. They may even believe signing comes with others benefits such as health and wealth. Sometimes they reluctantly sign up, almost as if they are doing their recruiter a favor. However, do they really know what they are signing?

Do they know that they are asked to surrender everything to God for the mission. They are told to end all other allegiances: to the world, sin, wealth, pleasures of life, self, the flesh, family, possessions, and be prepared to even give their very life for the cause. When they sign, they give up all personal rights and privileges. They must obey all orders. In fact, their lack of allegiance to all orders makes them a traitor, and subject to judgment. They not only neglect promoting the cause, they hinder it by serving the enemy’s commander.

Do we as leaders present the truth of counting the cost? Do those in our camps know that when they signed up, we were not at peacetime, but in the throes of battle? We are at war. The enemy has not let up. Why have we. Why are all our troops AWOL? Where are their commanders? Are we AWOL too?

Recognize that we are at war. Millions are dying without salvation. The main reason is that we recruit our reserves, but never give them deployment orders. Even when our literal soldiers sign for selfish purposes, they still receive the same training as those who sign with more noble intent. They learn the art or warfare alongside the visionaries. And when they are deployed, they are ready to fight with valor and precision. They are on the mission.

We must learn from this analogy. I don’t care why or how these soldiers joined our ranks. However, they need to know that we are at war NOW, and receive their training and deployment immediately. They must be shown the vision by our leadership. But, for them to catch the vision and get on mission, WE must recognize we are at war as well and be willing to count the cost.

Let me ask you, or rather answer the Lord. Have you counted the cost? Would you give up your possessions for Christ? Your comfort? Your freedom? Your wealth? Ok, you are still with me. What about your pride? Would you give up your home? What about your family? Now it’s getting tougher. Would you surrender your title? Your fears? Your hurts? What about your very life?

Ok, if you are still with me, you can rest assured God does not want you to sacrifice this list right now. Here is a better picture of what He wants from you. Just get a blank piece of paper. Now sign on the bottom. He will simply fill in what He wants you to give when He needs it of you. Will you sign this document?

Until we are ready to sign this document, we are not fit to serve in His Kingdom. Signing this document will lay the foundation for His service, and qualify us to train the reserves for the mission. The reserves will not follow us into battle until we take the flag and run headlong through the incoming fire. Reflect upon this.

Lord, speak to your people. I beseech the Lord of the harvest to send our laborers.

Amen

Marc Carrier
www.valuesdrivenfamily.com

Ps. The mission is next